Friday, Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall (R) announced that disbarred Prattville Attorney George Walthall was arrested for unauthorized practice of law and attempted theft of property.
Walthall, age 71, was arrested on these new charges and booked into the Autauga County Jail.
Walthall was previously arrested on May 18 for allegedly receiving stolen property. That charge is pending. On June 1, he surrendered his law license following an investigation by the Alabama Bar Association and his disbarment went into effect on June 14.
Walthall’s arrest stems from two warrants brought by the Attorney General’s Office.
Walthal is charged with: one count of attempted theft of property in the first-degree for attempting to collect a payment of $3,500 for legal services that he solicited on June 11, and attempted to collect on June 14 and again on June 26; and one count of unauthorized practice of law for actions related to a July 26 action seeking relief on a defendant’s bond.
Anyone who has been contacted by Walthall regarding legal services after June 1 is asked to notify the Attorney General’s Investigations Division by calling 334-242-7300.
If convicted, Walthall faces a maximum penalty of one to 10 years for the charge of first degree attempted theft of property, a class C felony; and up to six months in jail for the charge of unauthorized practice of law, a class B misdemeanor.
Walthall has only been charged with a crime. He has not had a chance to defend himself in court yet. An arrest is merely an accusation. Everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court room.
Attorney General Steve Marshall was appointed by then Governor Robert Bentley. He is seeking his own term as AG in the November 6 general election. He faces Joseph Siegelman (D).
